How to avoid death when we exercise?

Note:

If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)

Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

Exercise - Parents can feel safer when their child exercise rather than not exercising.

There are more deaths from being inactive. Many in Singapore are in actual fact overweight. Those who are not overweight and maintain their weight and who do not exercise at all, in the long run, may have to function with weak muscles and bones and thus bring the quality of life down. 

By being inactive, we also become unhealthy and may get diseases like cancer and heart diseases, the two main killers that cause death in Singapore. 

We do, however, see runners running and dying in races, which is rare, but we panic when this happens and turn to not exercising as a way to avoid any form of a fatal accident. 

Hence, our lifestyle changes from healthy to unhealthy. Our body will not be able to function well in the long run because of this and we may get osteoporosis, bones that become brittle. 

I feel that parents should get themselves informed by finding out the real truth on how death can take place in Singapore.  Many studies and research show that exercising is still far better than stopping activity as a whole. We know that active individuals are far healthier and have a better chance of surviving a cardiac event than people who do not want to exercise. 

Let me enumerate some points to avoid the risk of death in exercising. 

The following will help one in being aware of the following before one exercise. 

(1) It is good to investigate one's family history and be aware of any cases of sudden cardiac death in the family. This is the best predictor. It is good to keep your doctor aware in order to assist you of your history.

(2) Be aware of your body. There are changes in the feeling of the body when we run. Report to your doctor immediately if chest pain or abnormal shortness of breath comes during your training. Stop the activity if you feel any form of discomfort. Do not wait for things to become worse.

(3) Keep your fat level in check. It is good to keep the cholesterol level within a good profile. It is good to check the triglyceride level as well.

(4) Follow your doctor's advice. Once you have a doctor that you have been seeing for long, at least 5 to 10 years or a family doctor, it is good to follow the advice of the doctor. It is good to go to a doctor who leads an active lifestyle or is a marathoner himself, or in the past has done some form of sports activities when they were young and are continuing to exercise. 

Note:

By Narayanan

Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).

He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.